No. 4.] REPORT OF STATE FORESTER. 521 



effect that the fire buckets and tubs are not to be obstructed or used for 

 any other purpose. 



The use of wooden shingles has been discontinued altogether, and 

 adjacent to the right of way all new roofs are now covered with either 

 asbestos shingles, slate or tin. Fireproof paint has been used to a con- 

 siderable extent in the interior of buikUngs. 



Special zinc-lined receptacles have been provided outside of buildings 

 where stoves are used, for taking care of ashes and cinders from the stoves. 



Regular inspection is made underneath all wooden platforms, and all 

 rubbish and paper refuse, etc., is removed. 



Instructions are in effect that the right of way shall be carefully and 

 completely burnt over at least twice a season, and oftener if necessary; 

 and that such operations shall be carried on in co-operation with the local 

 fire warden, and if necessary with o'vvners of adjacent property. In some 

 cases where there has been added risk, permission from owners of adjacent 

 property has been obtained and railroad employees have done the burning. 

 In places where the hkelihood of fire is great, additional vigilance is used, 

 and in some places patrols are placed. Section cars within the zones most 

 subject to fires are all furnished with approved extinguishers, wliich are 

 carried at all times on the car during the season fires are most likely to 

 occur. On many occasions these have been found to be of great service. 



All Boston & Albany locomotives are now equipped with a standard 

 smoke-box arrangement with netting, which has been approved by the 

 Public Service Commission of Massachusetts. The ash pans have wire 

 screens to prevent live coals and cinders from being thrown out onto the 

 tracks or right of way, and comply with the regulations of the Public 

 Service Commission. All the locomotives operating on the Newton cir- 

 cuit are equipped with special patented exliaust pipes, which soften the 

 exhaust and greatly reduce the number of sparks thrown from the stacks. 

 On some of the locomotives the overflow pipes from the injectors have 

 been relocated so as to discharge into the ash pans, thus cooling' off the 

 hot cinders in the pan. The smoke-box netting of all the locomotives is 

 inspected at regular intervals and corrected before the locomotive is 

 allowed to go into service. A number of locomotives used in switching 

 in yards are equipped with fire extinguishers according to law and in com- 

 pliance with orders of the PubUc Service Commission, and all car and 

 locomotive shops are equipped with fire extinguishers and fire hose, with 

 special men designated to man this hose in case of fire. Fire drills are 

 also had at regular intervals. 



Federal Co-operation. 

 The co-operative work carried on in the State in connection with the 

 Federal department in protecting the watersheds of the Nashua, Chicopee, 

 Miller, Thames, Blackstone, Hudson, Connecticut and Deerfield rivers 

 has allowed us to better protect the central and western portions of the 

 State than would have otherwise been possible. An allotment of $2,500 



